2speedy

Hello,

I am looking to get more into cycling and would very much appreciate some input as far as what a good flat bar road bike would be in the $600-$800 range. I currently have a Haro F2 bmx bike that I have taken out on the local trails and as a result I got the urge to buy something better suited for longer distance riding. I have been doing a fair amount of research and also riding various bikes. So far I have test rode a Diamondback Insight 3, Cannondale Quick 3 & 4, and a Giant FCR 2. If I get a dry enough day this week I plan to also test ride a Novara (Rei brand) Express and a Scott Speedster S60. Of the bikes that I rode I liked the Insight 3 and the FCR 2 the best from a ride standpoint but I really like the look of the Scott. Purely from a component standpoint the Insight 3 seems to have a slight edge followed by the FCR 2 and the Novara. My question is of these bikes is there one that is really that much better than the others or is it pretty much what feels the best? Or maybe there is a bike that fits my price range that I haven't tried yet? I have a friend that has a Specialized Tarmac elite and I would prefer to have something that could at least keep up when we go riding but I don't want to invest too much money on a bike until I am sure I will like cycling.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any advice...

Humongous

Cannondale & Giant are both good. Also check out the Trek FX series as well as the Specialized Sirrus. Get which ever one feels most comfortable to you. If you are comfortable on it, you'll want to ride it.

f4rrest

I know people who started with flat-bar road bikes and quickly discovered that a drop-bar was more comfortable in the long run, because it gives so many more hand position options. Have you considered some traditional road bikes too?

2speedy

Thanks for the advice! I have ridden a friend's drop-bar style road bike a while back (over a year ago) but I didn't like it very much, it felt unstable/uncomfortable. I will definately try a few out when I go to ride the others now that I better understand the differences sizing can make. It may have just been too big for me (I'm only 5'4") and that could have made it feel awkward. I could see myself eventually going the way of the drop-bar, it just might take some time.

nycphotography

If you see yourself going that way eventually, then you may as well go there now. The change from flat bar to drop bar is fairly expensive.

Check out the entry level Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized (Allez) bikes. Any of these drop bar bikes will keep up with a Tarmac Elite... Meaning if you have the legs to push it, the bike won't be holding you back.

The flat bar bikes will kill you on aerodynamics, sucking away power that you may not feel holds you back in a short effort, but over the course of a long ride REALLY adds up.

mrvrsick

Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago.... Rode a drop bar and felt it too twitchy and uncomfortable to ride. Drop bars are better, you just have to realize it.

BTW I ended up buying a used Trek 7.2 FX (R.I.P) and in no way does it compare to drop bars...

lambo_vt

As someone who started with a "flat bar" road/hybrid thing, I'd advise anyone bike shopping on a budget to save more money and/or buy a lower-end drop bar bike. It's really worth it.

Tober1

+1 on the drop bar.
I was a hair away from getting a road/hybrid sorta bike. Road FD and RD but with MTB style shifters and bars. I was looking at an FX from Trek I think.

Then I rode a road bike and felt the difference right away. Its definitely more 'twitchy' but also about twice as fast
Save a couple extra hundred and get a road bike. If you want to take biking more seriously the hybrid will hold you back.

FWIW I ended up with a Cannondale CAAD9 5 and couldn't be happier.

good luck.

BroadSTPhilly

Fwiw it only took me about a week or so to get used to drop bars when I first started.

You can always take a look at.

bikesdirect

duck 'n' cover

Just kidding just kidding.

I don't know where you are but if you are in a craigslisted area you can sometimes find a good deal there. You can also get some decent used bikes on ebay although the rub there is you really need to know exactly what you want.

f4rrest

Remember that on a bike with drop bars, you don't have to ride in the drops either. Most ride with their hands on the "hoods" (up on top) about 80% of the time, which isn't that much different from riding a flat bar anyhow.

palu

IMO, $6-800 is kind of an awkward range. What I'm saying is, the bikes available in that range is neither great nor bad. IMO, you should spend LESS on a used bike or new bike, then upgrade, or spend $300 more and get a good bike that will far outlast the $6-800 bike, and have much better components. You can get some great deals right now.

2speedy

*Update*

First off, I'd like to thank everyone that replied to my original post. The advice given definately influenced my decision and I feel I got a bike that I will be happy with for many years. After doing a ton of research and test riding several more bikes (both flat-bar and drop-bar) I ended up getting a '08 Giant OCR A1 with drop-bars and Shimano 105's all around. I feel I got a smokin deal on it at $936 before tax.

Thanks Again!